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Dear Friends:
We want to let you know the sad news that we are resigning from ministry with ABWE.
It has been agonizing and heart wrenching to make this decision, but God has been close and faithful. After three years of Prefield and 83 meetings, we had only attained 30%. During 2009, our support fluctuated between 25% and 28%, and then finally up to 30% in May of this year. Our personal finances began to run perilously low.
Over the last several months we did not have peace that we were still where God wanted us to be. So we had been praying that God would reaffirm His direction for us. Adam started calling the churches we had visited so far hoping that the answer to our prayers would be several churches wanting to support us or at least expressing a strong interest in supporting us. We could not find any new support and it seemed our phone and e-mail went silent. Instead, the answer to that prayer was a phone call from a job recruiter. Our direction, though not what we were hoping for, seems clear: Adam accepted a contract position at a local corporation. As a result, the new job does not allow for us to continue in pre-field, and we must resign from ABWE.
While we did not raise our needed support, our prefield ministry has resulted in changed lives for Jesus Christ in churches all over the Midwest. When people shared with us how our ministry had made them think, convicted them, or encouraged them, it made the thousands of miles traveled worthwhile.
We know God is sovereign and His plans are perfect. I don’t think we will ever truly understand why we couldn’t go to the Czech Republic, but we do not doubt God on this. We can be certain that He is faithful. My son Michael always says, "Start by assuming God knows what He is doing." With that in mind we are submitting to this new direction and trusting Him for the outcome.
For HIS Sake….
Adam & Marge Parmenter
Hello Friends:
Last week we completed a week of travel which included a concert in Iowa, then a concert in Illinois, followed by a day of ministry and presentations in Iowa again. It was a wonderful time of effective ministry. Also, I was able to spend time with a new friend in the Czech Village, Cedar Rapids, IA. It was also the week that our support level finally made it to a full 30%.
Back in Kalamazoo, MI, the satisfying glow of ministry began to fade and the problem of our support level weighed on our hearts once again. It has taken us three years to get to 30% support, and for 18 months of that time our support has been moving up and down between about 26% and 29%. Two churches have joined as supporters, and several individuals have joined, which offset some other support that was lost.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." Psalm 127:1
We've begun to wonder if we are "laboring in vain". We had about 83 meetings in three years and have a full schedule into the fall. The response to our ministry and our mission to the Czech republic has been exceptional.
Here are some quotes from the evaluation forms we give for each church we visit: "They blessed and challenged me", "The Parmenters were a blessing to our church", "The day was a blessing, challenge and very positive".
We are worried that after such a full schedule of great meetings that we are not seeing more support come in. ABWE guidelines show that we should be at about 60% support by now. In the coming week, we are working to discern if we are supposed to continue with prefield. Please, pray with us that we will have clear direction from the Lord. We need a clear indication that God will provide the supporters we need to continue. Also, this week, I'm going to call churches we've been to in an attempt to find out if there are any that are planning to support us. We are also praying that we will be able to discover any individuals that have been considering supporting us. If there are no churches planning on adding us then that could be an indication that we aren't where God wants us to be.
Over and over I think about the Czech. In such a strongly atheist country like the Czech, there are college students that are curious and interested in Christianity. They would be willing to study the Bible with some one. Our age and background make us suitable for a number of ministries to help the little church in Southern Bohemia grow and Christians there mature in their faith. It's heart breaking to consider that we might not have the funds to go help the Czechs.
We have been praying about our support for some months, some times with tears. We know that God is good, and that He is able to do anything in His will, regardless of the economy or political system. Pray with us that we will have wise discernment and clear direction over what to do next. We appreciate your prayers, and will keep you posted on our next steps. Adam Parmenter on behalf of
Marge, Michael & Maryellen
(Czech believer speaking to an ABWEmissionary)
It’s heart breaking to realize the vast majority of Czechs believe God is a myth for the weak minded. Believers (only 0.5%) are isolated, facing intense opposition from friends and family.
Working with a team of missionaries alongside isolated Czech believers, we’ll help them reach their country for Christ and mature as a church family.
“We need to get you here...”
(Ron Barnes, missionary/team leader, Czech Republic)
Pastor Ron Barnes and his family have been in the Czech four years. What he has discovered is that while many Czechs are hardened to matters of faith, there is a younger generation hungry for a life changing relationship that will sustain them regardless of their circumstances. The opportunities to share Christ with the Czechs are growing. The need is now.
"Two are better than one...”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9)
We can accomplish more together than we can alone. We are looking for hundreds of supporters who each donate a a small amount, $5, $10, or $25 per month. If each of us does what we can, together we can quickly raise the monthly income required to live and serve in the Czech for many years to come.
"We can't do this alone.”
(Adam & Marge Parmenter)
In today’s economy giving is a sacrifice. Pray about it. With many of us working together we can field a team of missionaries to serve those living in deep spiritual poverty. Share our heart and vision for the Czech Republic.
*Click this link for a printable financial support form.
*Click this link for automatic withdrawal from checking or credit card
If you have any questions please contact us at this link.
Adam, Marge, Michael & Maryellen
The Parmenters: Prefield missionaries to the Czech Republic
Mission Board: Association of Baptists for World Evangelism
Home Church: Bethel Baptist, Kalamazoo, MI
Throughout Scripture, God calls upon people to do what is beyond their own ability to accomplish. Once, early in Jesus’ earthly ministry, he saw the disciples fishing. They had fished all night but caught nothing. These were experienced fishermen. Jesus said,
“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So, signaling their partners in the other boat for help, they filled both boats so full they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees, exclaiming, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
Luke 5:5-8 (ESV).
No amount of human effort resulted in fish. Instead, it was the Lord who provided. Marge and I can identify with the disciples. God has provided for us a full schedule, encouraging churches, enough gifts of money to finance car repair and over thousands of miles of safe travel. But—our financial support level remains unchanged. It is currently not enough to meet our needs. I have not found part-time work. We are beyond our human ability to continue pre-field.
We can’t imagine how 2010 is going to turn out. Our belief is that God will provide our support needs according to His timing. I know that we aren’t the only ones dealing with difficult spiritual, emotional, health or financial challenges. Perhaps the struggle you face threatens to overwhelm you. Join us this year in trusting God, resisting the urge to “cut our losses and run.” Join us this year in prayer as we daily pour out our hearts to God. Join us this year as we saturate our lives with God’s Word. Challenges can drive us closer to God if we let them. Join us in trusting Him who alone can accomplish the impossible.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5&6 (ESV)
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